Why Stress Affects Everyone Differently
March 30, 2012
Photo Credit: Robot B
It is well documented that high levels of stress can contribute to heart disease, cancer, headaches, ulcers, digestive disturbances, backaches and nearly every other condition known to mankind. How can one word cause so many unique and different problems in different people especially since the stress reaction is the same for everyone? The answer may be simpler than you think.
Stress is a nervous system reaction that causes your heart to beat faster, your muscles to be tense, your stomach to tighten, and your hair follicles to stand up, all as a way to prepare your body for an emergency. When you interpret a situation as stressful, whether it truly is or not, your brain triggers this reaction by sending a signal over your spinal cord and nervous system to every cell of your body. In prehistoric times, this would have been the perfect reaction to escape from a hungry dinosaur, but in today’s stress filled world and no Tyrannosaurus Rex, this chronic reaction can cause pain, sickness and disease.
Where your body breaks down from stress may depend on whether or not you have a condition known as vertebral subluxation. A vertebral subluxation is a spinal injury that interferes with the normal function of your nervous system which can affect your health on every level whether you have symptoms or not. If you have this in your spine, your body is already pre-stressed.
Many people deal with stress through deep breathing, meditation, exercise and healthy food choices. These are all very good things to do as part of your lifestyle to counter balance stress, but if your nervous system is pre-stressed, the slightest deviation from the perfect stress management plan can send you into a frustrating, uncomfortable, or painful tailspin. Removing this pre-stress causing subluxation can improve your resistance to daily stressors dramatically.
Research shows that it only takes the weight of a dime to reduce nerve transmission. Additional research has found that nerve compression can exist without pain and can cause deterioration within two weeks.
In this pre-stressed condition, your body becomes more vulnerable to outside stresses while other people may be much more resistant. The location of the subluxation can determine what types of symptoms, if any, you experience. For example, someone with nerve interference in the upper part of the neck might feel headaches, have allergies, or a stiff neck. Because the nerves fibers that come out of the upper neck also go to the entire body, pressure here can literally cause or mimic nearly every symptom or disease you can name.
Interference to the nerve supply in the lower back can cause a backache, leg problems and also affect ovary, prostate, bladder or bowel function. Interference to the nerves in the middle of your back can affect your heart and lungs or cause tension, stomach problems, digestive disturbances and discomfort.
The scary part is that like most serious conditions, vertebral subluxations can cause stress for decades without any symptoms. This is when serious problems occur, many of which could have been avoided by eliminating this pre-stressed condition right away. The birth process, childhood falls, sports injuries and poor lifestyle habits are just a few causes of subluxations. Rather than getting to the cause and removing this underlying problem, many people attempt to chase their symptoms away with drugs, or another type of quick fix, and then wonder why their condition returns. Removing the cause and optimizing the function of your nervous system is a better immediate and long-term plan.
Regardless or your symptoms, a chiropractic examination can locate pre-stressed areas in your spine that may be affecting your health on every level.
Crisis care is one way to deal with stress, only receiving care when you are hurt. A much better option is to remove the subluxation, stress, from your body and keep it out as a part of your lifestyle. This will help you to stress less, live more, and enjoy the quality of life you deserve.
Reprinted with permission from The Family Practice.
Chiropractic Care: Myth vs. Fact
March 29, 2012
Photo credit: DBduo Photography
People often come into our offices with misconceptions about chiropractic care. They hear one thing from a friend and another thing from a neighbor and end up confused! We believe it’s important to set the record straight and educate our community by sharing the facts about chiropractic care. Here are a few of the common myths we hear – and the facts!
Myth: Chiropractic adjustments are addictive.
Fact: Regular chiropractic care as part of an overall wellness plan is no more addictive than eating right or brushing your teeth, but the feeling you get from being in balance is a great thing to get used to! Whether or not you make it a part of your wellness routine is up to you!
Myth: Chiropractors only treat back pain.
Fact: Chiropractic care can help resolve many different health issues, as subluxation can lead to a variety of disorders. Keeping your nervous system in balance helps to prevent illness and promote wellbeing. We can also counsel you on aspects of a healthy lifestyle.
Myth: Children should not be treated by chiropractors.
Fact: The birth process can cause subluxation in infants that can be gently resolved by chiropractic care. Many parents of infants we’ve seen in our office have reported their child sleeping well, colic disappearing, asthma symptoms resolved and regular elimination. The benefits of chiropractic care apply to people of all ages – including children!
Myth: Chiropractic care is unsafe.
Fact: Chiropractic care is very safe. Compared to invasive surgical procedures and medications with dangerous side effects, the risk of injury from chiropractic care is minimal.
Myth: Chiropractic care doesn’t work.
Fact: Chiropractic care is a safe, effective treatment for a variety of health concerns, but it’s true that we can’t fix everything. We can’t treat a cavity in a tooth, for example, but we can help restore your body’s balance and improve your overall health so that you’re less likely to end up with another one!
Do you have questions about chiropractic care? Come in for a consultation! Call Kristina at 408-979-9999 to make an appointment.
Stressed Out?? Who Me?? WORKSHOP!
March 27, 2012
Join us for a one hour hands on workshop to discover effective stress reduction techniques that you can use every day.
Two dates to choose from Tuesday April 17th at 7pm or Saturday, April 21st at 9am.
Bring a yoga mat or blanket, an open mind and wear comfortable clothes. This workshop is complimentary and guests are welcome.
This could be the one hour that will permanently change your stress levels and health forever!
Maximum of 8 spaces per workshop so reserve your space today. Call Kristina at 408-979-9999.
Anxious? Try Chiro Care.
March 22, 2012
Photo Credit: Jerry Bunkers
You might not realize that chiropractic care can address a variety of ailments beyond back and neck pain. The chiropractic technique of spinal adjustment relieves subluxation in the spine that can lead to issues throughout the body, including the brain, and the holistic approach of doctors of chiropractic is recognized around the world as a safe and effective complementary therapy for stress, depression and anxiety.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety is the most common mental health issue faced by Americans. Traditional anti-anxiety treatment using prescription medications are often ineffective and come with alarming side effects. Chiropractic treatment is a much safer alternative. In addition to restoring balance to the nervous system, chiropractic care can help relieve many of the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as elevated heart rate and blood pressure, difficulty sleeping, headaches and stomach pain.
If you are suffering from general anxiety symptoms or are experiencing panic attacks, come in to see us at Rozenhart Family Chiropractic. We can work with you to address your symptoms with chiropractic adjustment and help you adopt lifestyle changes to support an anxiety-free life. Call Kristina at 408-979-9999 to make an appointment.
Did You See Who Was On Dr. Phil Last Week?
March 21, 2012
Had to share this quick video with you! Dr. Fab is spreading the message that your body can heal!
Escape Low Back Pain
March 15, 2012
Photo courtesy of Mike Baird
Lower back pain can be exhausting – it disrupts your sleep, saps your energy during the day and can feel like an endless cycle. Sadly, more than 31 million Americans each year suffer from low back pain at any given time, leading to missed work and the associated expenses. Back pain is sometimes caused by a sudden movement or injury, but lifestyle factors can contribute as well. Stress levels, lack of overall fitness, excess weight and extended periods of sitting can all lead to or exacerbate back pain. Here are a few tips to prevent low back pain:
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Exercise regularly.
- Warm up before exercising and stretch regularly.
- Work on improving your posture.
- Adjust your desk, chair and computer for a back-friendly workstation.
While anti-inflammatory drugs may ease the symptoms temporarily, they carry their own risks and don’t address the cause of the pain. Chiropractic adjustment is a safe and cost-effective way to combat low back pain, and it works quickly. When you come to Rozenhart Family Chiropractic to address your back pain, we can detect areas of stress and subluxation and make adjustments to relieve any discomfort. We’ll also recommend some exercises you can do to help strengthen your back and avoid future pain.
Instead of relying on pain-relief medications or subjecting yourself to invasive surgical procedures to relieve your low back pain, consider coming in to see us for a consultation. Call Kristina at 408-979-9999 to make an appointment.
Chiropractic Care for Golfers
March 8, 2012
- Photo courtesy of chispita
Any regular golfer can tell you that the game can lead to stiffness and soreness from the bent-over stance, repeated swings and hours spent walking the course. Back, neck and shoulder pain are common complaints among golfers – pain that can interfere with their game and relegate them to the sidelines. To avoid injury and keep yourself in top golfing form, here are a few tips:
- Equipment matters. Use golf clubs that are the right size for you. Hunching over too-short clubs will just lead to persistent back pain.
- Stretch first. Men especially should stretch regularly to increase their trunk flexibility, including twists and side bends. We can help you design a stretching routine that’s just right for you.
- Wear good shoes. Your golf shoes should fit well and offer plenty of support for the hours you’ll spend on your feet at the course. Consider custom orthotics if your shoes are not supportive enough.
- Pull your bag. Carrying a heavy golf bag all day (especially if you carry it on one shoulder) will compress your spine and cause irritation. Pull it instead.
- Switch sides. Take practice swings regularly with your non-dominant hand to help balance your body.
If you golf regularly, come in for a consultation. Chiropractic care to address posture, flexibility and proper nerve function can help you prevent golf injuries before they happen and improve your game. Beyond keeping your back pain-free, we can also relieve stress in your shoulders, neck, wrists and knees to help keep you out on the course. Call Kristina at 408-979-9999 to make an appointment.
Your Minimum is Not Your Maximum
March 5, 2012
What is your minimum life expectancy? Your maximum? How about for your children? What will your quality of life be like along the way? These quick calculations and facts can be a real wake up call for you and your loved ones.
Calculate Your M-PYR™ (Pronounced “empire”)
M-PYR stands for Minimum Potential Years Remaining. It takes into account what you know about your personal family history and compares this to your current age to determine the minimum number of years that you have left.
Calculate Your M-PYR NOW:
1. What’s the age of your oldest grandparent ever (living or deceased): ______
2. Your current age: ______
3. Your M-PYR (2 – 1): ______
So what’s your M-PYR? If your oldest grandparent ever was 90, and you are currently 45, then you have an M-PYR of 45. This is your MINIMUM potential years remaining. If your oldest grandparent ever was 82 and you are 77, then your M-PYR is 5. If your oldest grandparent ever was 102 and you are 32, then you have an M-PYR of 70.
If your M-PYR is longer than you thought, look at your choices and evaluate their long term benefit to you. If you don’t do this, you may be setting yourself up for a sick and deteriorating future, even though you may feel fine today. If you are a procrastinator who is already suffering from an unhealthy lifestyle, a long M-PYR can be very motivating. After all, there’s only one thing worse than suffering, and that’s suffering for another 25, 50, or 75 years.
Committing to healthier lifestyle choices, including taking care of your spine and nervous system with chiropractic care, can ensure that your remaining years are good ones and not years of sickness, poverty and loneliness. Healthy choices now will improve your life now, and as you age.
If your M-PYR is short, than you will surely feel a sense of urgency to get your act together.
Waiting for a heart attack to eat healthy and exercise is a bad idea.
Waiting for a diagnosis of cancer to eat healthy, exercise and strengthen your immune system is not a good idea.
Just because society is crisis motivated, doesn’t mean that this is the way that you should be. I love seeing people who embrace chiropractic care and their ideal 100 Year Lifestyle, and regardless of their age, they feel younger and healthier than ever. But why wait for a crisis.
Look at family photos of your parents and grandparents. Do you like the way they have aged? Do you think that if they knew they were going to live as long as they are, or did, that they would have made different choices? You are getting the advance notice that they never received. What will you do with this information?
Your M-PYR is not your MAX-PYR™
Your M-PYR is not your MAX-PYR, or maximum potential years remaining. Who knows what your number could be? If you ate healthy, exercised, took care of your spine and nervous system, had good relationships and a sense of purpose, what would be the limits of your longevity?
New research in the Lancet found that more than 50% of babies can expect to live to 100. Some scientists even say that we can live to 1,000. I don’t know about that, but I do know that if you make healthy choices you are much more likely to enjoy a quality life for your entire lifetime.
Recently there was a gentleman whose M-PYR was -1. He had already outlived the oldest relative in his family, and he was really happy about it. He was healthy and functioning at a very high level. He had a great perspective on his life and he was very glad to be here.
Your M-PYR is not your MAX-PYR. Make healthy choices. Embrace Chiropractic Lifestyle Care, and you and your loved ones will enjoy the quality of life you deserve.
Reprinted with permission from The Family Practice.
Do You Have an Ostrich in Your Family?
March 2, 2012
Have you ever seen a picture of an ostrich with its head buried in the sand? This is one of the funniest scenes in nature, but an unfunny, accurate metaphor to describe individuals who have a crisis care mentality about their health. This means that they only take care of themselves when they are sick, diagnosed with a disease or are in excruciating pain.
If you want to live an active, healthy long life, this ostrich mentality won’t get you there. Here are some signs that you or a loved one may be in a crisis with your head in the sand:
- You take over the counter drugs on a monthly basis
- You have taken prescription drugs consistently for more than three months
- You have altered your life due to a health concern
- You constantly try to pop your neck and back or are fidgety
- You cannot exercise without pain
- You take medication to offset the side effects of other medications
- You experience irregular sleep patterns
- You are susceptible to colds and the flu
- You often say things like, “I need to go to the doctor” or “I need to take a pill”
- You have difficulty standing or sitting up straight
Many seniors and centenarians are suffering the consequences of their “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” ostrich-like attitudes. We are getting the advance notice that our parents and grandparents never received so we can think differently about health and pull our heads out of the sand.
Embrace your innate potential.
Do you have a parent or grandparent that lived to be 70, 80, 90 or 100 years old? Whether you like it or not, this is your minimum Innate, genetic potential. Your children and grandchildren share your genes as well, so become excited about your longevity, and theirs, and make the lifestyle changes now to ensure your health and vitality for a lifetime.
Remove interference.
Your mind and body will break down when there is interference in your nervous system. Just like a car accident will interfere with the flow of traffic, interference in your nervous system will cause dis-ease in your body which can lead to pain, sickness and even chronic disease. Sometimes you will have symptoms and sometimes you won’t. Don’t wait for the symptoms, the crisis, to remove this interference. That’s what an ostrich would do. Stay healthy by keeping this interference out of your life, your spine and your nervous system, regardless of how you feel.
It’s time for an Intervention.
If you have an ostrich in your family, you can save their life and make a difference by intervening. Express your concern. Show them you care. Get help from others if you need it but don’t let them become a statistic and “just another person” who was killed or injured severely because they were in denial about the dangers to their health.
We are excited to be a part of your health care team. If you have an ostrich in your life, please send them to our office for an appointment. We would be honored to help them get their head out of the sand.
Reprinted with permission from The Family Practice.
Balanced? Check Out These Before and After Pictures!
March 2, 2012
How do you think walking around in an unbalanced affects your daily life? You might have never thought about it , but here are two pictures of a practice member laying down on her back before and after she got adjusted. Which do you think causes less stress on her system?
Pre-Adjustment Leg Imbalance
Post-Adjustment Leg Length Balance!
Thank You Silicon Valley
